Review: BLACK PHONE 2 Rings You Back Into a Nightmare You Can’t Hang Up On
I am a big fan of Scott Derrickson’s original The Black Phone as it was one of those great horror films that did a great job mixing together supernatural tension with real emotional weight. So whenit was announced thay a sequel was coming, I was curious but skeptical.
How do you follow a story that already felt complete? Somehow, Derrickson and his team found a way that actually worked incredibly well. Black Phone 2 is a chilling and surprisingly emotional continuation that doesn’t just rehash the first film, it digs deeper into its world, its characters, and its ghosts.
The story picks up four years after 13-year-old Finn escaped The Grabber’s basement. The evil doesn’t stay buried, though, and as Finn struggles to move on, his younger sister Gwen begins to experience terrifying visions.
The phone is ringing again, and this time, it’s her turn to answer. What unfolds is a supernatural mystery that ties The Grabber’s curse to the Blake family’s past in unexpected and unsettling ways. It’s a clever expansion that gives the mythology more depth without feeling like a forced cash grab.
Ethan Hawke returns as The Grabber, once again delivering a disturbing performance that’s just as menacing. The decision to make Gwen the lead over Finn might surprise some fans, but I loved it and Madeleine McGraw completely owns the film.
Her performance is fierce, vulnerable, and at times heartbreaking. She and Mason Thames (Finn) share a sibling chemistry that grounds the story emotionally, keeping the film from becoming just another blood-soaked sequel.
Speaking of blood, Black Phone 2 doesn’t hold back on the horror. There’s plenty of gore for those who crave it, but what really got under my skin were the psychological scares. Derrickson once again blurs the line between dream and reality, collapsing time, memory, and fear into one haunted space. The winter setting adds a bone-deep chill to it all, making the film feel both isolating and beautiful in its own eerie way.
Visually, this movie is errie. The cinematography captures a kind of horrific euphoria, something between a nightmare and a snow globe. The decision to show The Grabber sparingly, almost like Jaws, was a good choice. It keeps the fear alive even when he’s not on screen.
There are some pacing hiccups and a few moments of awkward moments that don’t quite land, but overall, the tension builds masterfully toward a finale that’s thrilling and emotional.
What I especially loved about Black Phone 2 is how it still cares about its characters. Beneath the scares, it explores themes of trauma, faith, and family legacy. It’s about whether we’re doomed to repeat the pain of those before us, or if we can break the cycle.
Derrickson could’ve easily played it safe, but instead, he made something errily beautiful. The Freddy Krueger-style supernatural twist might divide some fans, yet I appreciated that it takes risks rather than simply replaying what worked the first time. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s inventive, daring, and awesomely unsettling.
Walking out of the theater, I felt the same satisfaction I did with the first movie. Maybe Black Phone didn’t need a sequel, but I’m glad we got one. It’s a gripping, atmospheric horror film that proves Derrickson still knows how to make your skin crawl while tugging at your heart.
If you’re looking for something to kick off the spooky season, Black Phone 2 is absolutely worth watching!